Abstract: Provided is a synchronization system and method for acoustic communication in audible frequency range, and an apparatus applied thereto. The synchronization system for acoustic communication in audible frequency range is configured to prevent deterioration of a synchronization performance and to reduce an amount of calculation by calculating a correlation based on a few samples as opposed to calculating a correlation for each sample when a receiver of the acoustic communication performs synchronization while the acoustic communication is performed in the audible frequency range through modification of an audio signal or adding of a predetermined signal to an audio signal.

Abstract: A canalphone system may include a canalphone housing, and a first high frequency driver carried within the canalphone housing. The system may also include a second high frequency driver carried within the canalphone housing where the second high frequency driver is tuned with the first high frequency driver to deliver lower distortion than a standard canalphone high frequency driver and/or lower distortion than two standard canalphone high frequency drivers that are not tuned with each other.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides systems and methods for remotely controlling a hearing assistance device, including using a personal wireless device such as a cellular telephone. One embodiment includes a communication system for controlling a hearing assistance device. The system includes a personal wireless device including a short range radio transmitter. The short range radio transmitter is programmed to transmit instructions to the hearing assistance device by conversion of inputs to the personal wireless device into control signals for the hearing assistance device using on/off keying of the short range radio transmitter.

Abstract: A method and system to help determine the extent to which a hearing prosthesis recipient is exposed to speech. The hearing prosthesis will log data regarding audio input, optimally in correspondence with times when the hearing prosthesis is in a stimulation-on mode in which the hearing prosthesis is set to stimulate a physiological system of the recipient in accordance with received audio input, so as to facilitate identification of speech to which the recipient is exposed. Further, as the hearing prosthesis itself receives the audio input, the hearing prosthesis may analyze the audio input to determine one or more linguistic characteristics of the audio input, such as a quantity of speech by the recipient and/or by others, and the hearing prosthesis may output data representing the determined one or more linguistic characteristics. Advantageously, the data may then be used to help facilitate rehabilitation of the recipient.

Abstract: A set of hearing instrument parts includes a trunk part that is selectively placeable in a left ear canal or a right ear canal or a user, an elongate member having a first end and a second free end, a left ear connector configured to connect the trunk part and the elongate member to form a first configuration that is suitable for a left ear of the user, and a right ear connector configured to connect the trunk part and the elongate member to form a second configuration that is suitable for a right ear of the user, wherein the elongate member is configured for placement in a pinna for retention of the trunk part in a selected one of the left ear canal and the right ear canal.

Abstract: A system for establishing within a communication network a conversation group between a number of hearing aids (1, 2; 3, 4, 5) used by different users, comprises a number of hearing aids (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) adapted for wireless communication, means for detecting hearing aids (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) available for participation in the communication network, means for selecting hearing aids for participation (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) in said network, and a shared wireless communication unit (10) adapted for transmitting to and from the hearing aids (1, 2; 3, 4, 5) participating in said communication network. The invention further provides a method for establishing a conversation group.

Abstract: A device and methods are provided for a hearing device. In one embodiment, a hearing device includes a microphone to receive sound, an interactive tip and actuator. The actuator can include an actuator element and preload force element to place the interactive tip in contact with a portion of an ear. The hearing device includes circuitry coupled to the microphone and actuator, the circuitry configured to process sound received by the microphone and drive the actuator based on processed sound, wherein the actuator drives the interactive tip relative to a portion of the ear based on one or more signals received from the circuitry.

Abstract: An implantable device having an impact side likely to receive forces applied to the device is disclosed, the device comprising: a hermetically-sealed container including, a chassis having secure thereto at least one functional component, a first shell hermetically connected to the chassis to form a hermetic enclosure in which the at least one functional component is located, at least on feedthrough disposed in one or more of either the chassis and the first shell, configured to permit at least one input/output line to infiltrate the hermetic enclosure; and a second shell connected to the container so as to be spaced from and adjacent to the container to define the impact side of the device and to form with the container a non-hermetic enclosure.

Abstract: A user interface incorporated onto a hearing aid includes flexible hybrid component integrating a touch sensor into a bendable display. The touch sensor, such as a capacitive sensor, includes one or more sensor elements allowing a user to control operation of the hearing aid by touching. The bendable display presents information related to the operation of the hearing aid to the user.

Abstract: Hearing system comprising a hearing device and an FM receiver, the FM receiver being adapted to be operationally connected to the hearing device and to communicate wirelessly with an FM transmitter on an FM channel, the hearing device comprising memory storing configuration data indicating the FM channel and transferring means for transferring the stored configuration data to the FM receiver, the hearing system further comprising a configurator adapted to configure the FM receiver to use the indicated FM channel for communicating wirelessly with the FM transmitter. The hearing system further comprises a detector adapted to detect whether the FM receiver is operationally connected to the hearing device, and the transferring means further is adapted to transfer the stored configuration data to the FM receiver in response to the FM receiver going from not being operationally connected to being operationally connected to the hearing device.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to method and apparatus for detecting user activities within a hearing assistance device, and among other things, apparatus including a microphone for reception of sound and to generate a sound signal; an electret vibration sensor adapted to measure mechanical vibration and to produce a vibration signal; a signal processor, connected to the microphone and in communication with the electret vibration sensor, the signal processor adapted to process the sound signal and to process the vibration signal; and a housing adapted to house the signal processor. Variations provide a housing, microphone, and receiver in different configurations. In some variations wireless electronics are included and are used to communicate different signals. In some examples, the design is embodied in a variety of hearing aid configurations.

Abstract: There is provided an at least partially implantable device for picking up sound impinging onto a skin area of a person, comprising means for generating an audio signal corresponding to the change in time of the distance between a position of the device and the outer surface of the skin area, wherein the device position is adjacent to the skin area.

Abstract: A hearing optimization device and hearing optimization method having a high boost frequency characteristic reference live for high frequency range enhancement and a low boost frequency characteristic reference live for low frequency range enhancement to achieve separate gain control of input audio signal according to frequency. An audio signal processing and generating means is also included, along with synthesized audio signal output structure.

Abstract: An implantable floating mass transducer is described for a hearing implant system in an implant patient. A cylindrical transducer housing contains a cylindrical inner mass magnet having an inner magnetic field with a first field direction. One or more signal drive coils are on the outer housing surface for conducting a transducer drive signal current to produce a signal magnetic field that interacts with the inner magnetic field to create vibration of the inner mass magnet which is coupled by the transducer housing to the internal hearing structure for sound perception by the implant patient. A ring-shape outer offset magnet is positioned around the outer housing surface with an outer magnetic field having a second field direction opposite to the first field direction so as to offset the inner magnetic field to minimize their combined magnetic field and thereby minimize magnetic interaction of the transducer with any external magnetic field.

Abstract: A method for operating a hearing system comprises the steps of: a) replacing the current settings by the former settings upon operation of a reset user control; and one of the steps of: b1) automatically replacing the former settings by new former settings upon receiving a request for adjusting at least one setting of the current settings, provided that no adjustment to the current settings has been carried out for at least a pre-defined time span up to the receiving of that request; or b2) automatically replacing the former settings by new former settings upon receiving a request for adjusting at least one setting of the current settings, provided that a difference between the current settings and the former settings caused by one or more adjustments to the current settings carried out during a pre-defined time span up to the receiving of that request is larger than a pre-defined difference.

Abstract: A method and device for reliably detecting one's own voice being the wearer of a hearing apparatus. A hearing apparatus includes at least two independent analysis facilities, of which each is configured to obtain speech activity data on the basis of an audio signal received by the hearing apparatus, which is dependent on the speaker activity of a wearer of the hearing apparatus. A fusion facility is configured to receive the speech activity data from the analysis facilities and on the basis of the speech activity data then to recognize whether or not the wearer is currently speaking.

Abstract: A method and device for compensating sensorineural hearing loss in a manner that allows dysfunction of the inner and outer hair cells to be separately compensated is described. The disclosed techniques involve providing separately adjustable compression pathways for the received sound.

Abstract: A hearing aid system is enabled for binaural microphone adjustment by way of the wearer's own voice. The hearing aid system has a first and a second hearing aid having a first and a second acousto-electric converter. The converters have a signal link with a signal processing unit which determines and compensates for signal deviations caused by the first and second acousto-electric converters on the basis of signals from the wearer's own voice. The wearer's own voice is recognized by a special facility.

Abstract: A system includes an active noise-reducing headset and an alert processor. The active noise reducing headset includes a communication module that establishes a wireless communication link, a microphone that generates a microphone signal in response to ambient noise, a speaker, a noise reduction circuit that generates a noise reduction signal in response to the microphone signal, and a control circuit that receives an incoming alert signal from the communication module and plays the alert signal over the speaker. The alert processor includes a second communication module that establishes the wireless link with the active noise-reducing headset, and a controller that receive an incoming alert signal, generates an alert notification in response to the alert signal, and transmits the alert notification to the active noise-reducing headset.

Abstract: Audible signals (m2) which are transmitted via an uncontrolled transmission path (11) to an individual's ear wearing the control signal processing path (1) of a hearing device are compensated by audible signals (m3) which are produced by an additional controlled signal processing path (20). Signal processing parts are commonly exploited (25b, 25d, 7/27) by both controlled signal processing paths (1, 20).

Abstract: Examples of a removable earpiece assembly configured for coupling to a canal hearing device using a foil-thin clip are described. The earpiece assembly may be readily removed for replacement when soiled or degraded after use. The earpiece assembly may include a compliant element for contact with the ear canal in a comfortable and safe manner. The earpiece assembly may function as an acoustic seal and/or a retainer for the canal hearing device. The removable earpiece assembly may provide a highly space efficient solution which may be used with miniature canal hearing devices, including a CIC device. In some embodiments, disengagement of the earpiece assembly from the canal hearing device may be accomplished by a side peel motion.

Abstract: A hearing aid device includes a processing unit and a receiving unit adapted to be coupled to transmit an electrical signal from the processing unit to the receiving unit. The processing unit has a wireless transmitter and a transmitter seal for covering the wireless transmitter and the receiving unit has a wireless receiver and a receiver seal for covering the wireless receiver. The electrical signal is transmitted from the wireless transmitter to the wireless receiver wirelessly. The electrical signal may be transmitted by induction. The transmitter seal and the receiver seal prevent any environmental influences from acting on the hearing aid device and thus protect the hearing aid device from malfunctioning or becoming short circuited. Magnetic connectors and/or mechanical connectors are provided for a stable contact between the processing unit and the receiving unit.

Abstract: A method is provided for adapting a feedback suppression device of a hearing device to a given situation in order to improve the quality of feedback suppression in hearing devices and in hearing aids in particular. In the method an adaptation procedure of the feedback suppression device is periodically activated and adaptation of the feedback suppression device is performed regularly even if a feedback detector does not detect a feedback situation. A feedback suppression device for a hearing device is also provided.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a sound processing subsystem 1) dividing an audio signal presented to an auditory prosthesis patient into a plurality of signals each representative of a distinct frequency portion of the audio signal and each contained within a distinct analysis channel included in a plurality of analysis channels, 2) determining a sound level of each signal included in the plurality of signals, and 3) setting an amount of noise reduction applied to each signal included in the plurality of signals in accordance with the determined sound level of each signal included in the plurality of signals. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for identifying a receiver in a hearing aid of the RITE (Receiver In The Ear) type (1) comprises providing a hearing aid of the RITE-type (1), providing said hearing aid with a receiver (10), measuring the impedance of said receiver (10) using said hearing aid (1), identifying said receiver (10) as one of several predetermined receiver models on basis of said impedance measurement, and issuing a message regarding the result of the identification. The invention also provides a hearing aid and a system for fitting a hearing aid. The hearing aid may comprise the means for measuring receiver impedance.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for providing a hearing assistance device with a detachable telecoil. One aspect of the present subject matter includes an apparatus for communication with a hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a telecoil and a direct audio input (DAI) connector electrically connected to the telecoil. The DAI connector is configured to detachably attach to a DAI port of the hearing assistance device and to pass a signal from the telecoil to the hearing assistance device, in various embodiments.

Abstract: The present application discloses systems and methods for determining one or more configuration settings for a first hearing prosthesis based on configuration data associated with a second hearing prosthesis. In some embodiments, determining the one or more configuration settings for the first hearing prosthesis may include determining an acoustic operating range associated with the first hearing prosthesis based on whether a configured gain at one or more frequencies for the second hearing prosthesis meets or exceeds a target gain at the one or more frequencies. Some embodiments may also include storing the determined configuration settings in a tangible computer readable memory associated with the first hearing prosthesis.

Abstract: A portable terminal, a hearing aid, and a method of indicating the position of a sound source in the portable terminal are provided. The method includes receiving sound signals of a plurality of sound sources, determining respective distances between the plurality of sound sources and the portable terminal, and respective directions of the plurality of sound sources from the portable terminal, based on the received sound signals of the plurality of sound sources, determining positions of the plurality of sound sources on the touch screen based on the determined distances and directions of the plurality of sound sources, and displaying the determined positions of the plurality of sound sources on the touch screen.

Abstract: The adjustment of the signal processing carried out by a hearing aid to the individual hearing loss of a user is intended to be simplified. For this purpose, a number of predefined adjustment programs, from which the user selects a suitable program by operating an operating element, are provided in the hearing aid. Neither a visit to a hearing aid acoustician nor special adjustment devices is/are required for adjustment.

Abstract: A method for the operation of a hearing device with at least one receiver includes carrying out a fixed second frequency shift of an electrical receiver signal supplying the receiver or of a predefinable frequency range of the receiver signal and a variable first frequency shift of the receiver signal or of a predefinable frequency range of the receiver signal. The first frequency shift is changed depending on the occurring feedback. A frequency shift which effectively prevents feedback is advantageously carried out, while artifacts of the frequency shift are minimized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hearing instrument comprising an ITE-part adapted for being positioned in the ear canal of a user, the ITE-part comprising a housing comprising first and second openings adapted for facing towards the ear drum when said ITE-part is mounted in the ear canal, said first and second openings being adapted to allow first and second functional elements of the ITE-part to be in communication with the ear canal, the hearing instrument further comprising a wax filter adapted to fully or partially cover said first and second openings. The invention further relates to the use of a hearing instrument, to a method of wax protection in a hearing instrument and to a wax filter. The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative solution to protect relevant parts of a hearing aid against wax deposition.

Abstract: A method of processing signals in a hearing aid system (200, 300) comprises the steps of transforming two audio signals to the time-frequency domain, calculating the interaural coherence, deriving a first gain based on the interaural coherence, applying the first gain value in the amplification of the time-frequency signals, and transforming the signals back into the time domain for further processing in the hearing aid. The first gain value as a function of the value representing the interaural coherence comprises three contiguous ranges for the values representing the interaural coherence, where the maximum slope in the first and third range are smaller than the maximum slope in the second range, the first range comprising low interaural coherence values, the third range comprising high interaural coherence values, and the second range comprising intermediate interaural coherence values. The invention further provides a hearing aid system (200, 300) adapted for suppression of interfering speakers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for outputting a sound with Hearing Aids Compatibility (HAC) in a mobile terminal. The sound output apparatus includes a modem chip including a first amplifier amplifying and transferring an electric signal to a switch, a switch that selectively connects an output line of the first amplifier to a receiver or a second amplifier, a second amplifier connected with the receiver and the switch and that amplifies and transfers an electric signal received from the first amplifier to the receiver when the switch connects the output line of the first amplifier to the second amplifier, and a receiver connected with the switch and the second amplifier and that converts and outputs an electric signal received from the first amplifier or the second amplifier into a sound. This allows for the stable transfer of a sound to hearing handicapped persons with HAC without distortion of the sound quality.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to devices, systems, and methods for supporting different load conditions in a data/power link. In one example, a device includes a transformer that has a first tap with a first turns ratio and a second tap with a second turns ratio. The device further includes electronics and circuitry. The circuitry is configured to selectively couple the electronics to the first tap of the transformer for a first application and to couple the electronics to the second tap of the transformer for a second application.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods to transition a hearing prosthesis between different stimulation strategies. In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided and includes operating a hearing prosthesis in accordance with a first parameter, receiving an instruction to operate the hearing prosthesis in accordance with a second parameter, and in response to the receiving, transitioning to operate the hearing prosthesis in accordance with the second parameter by operating the hearing prosthesis in accordance with at least one intermediate parameter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatuses designed to reduce the power usage of a hearing prosthesis. To reduce the power usage of the prosthesis, an external portion may transmit a signal having a plurality of transmission parameters to an internal component. The external portion receives an indication of an implant power parameter associated with the plurality of transmission parameters. After receiving the indication, the external portion adjusts at least one transmission parameter. After adjusting at least one parameter, the external portion transmits a signal to the internal component based on the adjusted parameters and responsively receives an indication of an implant power parameter associated with the adjusted parameters. Based on the received indication of the implant power parameter for a plurality of transmissions, the external portion determines a preferred set of transmission parameters. Finally, the external portion is operated based on the preferred set of transmission parameters.

Abstract: A hearing aid (1) adapted for operation in a sound amplification mode and for operation in an occlusion measurement mode, has a microphone (10) adapted for transforming an acoustic sound level external to a hearing aid users ear canal (4) into a first electrical signal which is guided to an A/D converter forming a first digitized electrical signal. The hearing aid has signal processing means with a filter bank (41, 42) with means for splitting an electrical signal into frequency bands, and a receiver (20) adapted for generating acoustic sounds in the ear canal of a user when in said amplification mode, and for transforming the acoustic sound level in the ear canal into a second electrical signal, when in occlusion measurement mode. The invention also provides a system and a method for measuring the occlusion effect.

Abstract: In a hearing aid (40), a direct-digital H-bridge output driver stage (1) driven by a sigma-delta modulator (2) is configured to operate in a power-saving three-level output mode or a power-consuming two-level output mode. The three-level output mode of the H-bridge output driver stage (1) has low power consumption but suffers the disadvantage of emitting capacitive noise potentially interfering with the reception of radio signals in a radio receiver (17) in the hearing aid (40). By providing a novel method of selecting the two-level output mode whenever the radio receiver (17) is receiving signals, and selecting the three-level output mode whenever the radio receiver (17) is idle, this capacitive interference does not disturb the radio receiver (17) in the hearing aid (40). The invention provides a method and a hearing aid.

Abstract: A method and system to optimize the relative position of an inductive field of a hearing aid compatible device and a telecoil of a hearing assistive device, are provided. A Steerable Hearing Aid Compatible Device (SHAD) has a steerable inductive field for locating an inductive field in accordance with the location of a telecoil in the hearing assistive device. A Telecoil Hearing Assistive Device (THAD) has a telecoil and telecoil orientation tag. The location of the telecoil of the THAD is determined with respect to a reference system and this telecoil location information is stored on the telecoil orientation tag as Telecoil Location Information (TLI) and provided to the SHAD. In an exemplary embodiment the telecoil orientation tag may be an RFID tag that is read by a tag reader of the SHAD. The SHAD receives the TLI and generates an inductive field in accordance with the TLI, such as a position that is parallel to the telecoil of the THAD.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing audio content and hearing-enhancement devices are provided. Systems and methods can be tailored to providing audio content to the hearing impaired, and can include evaluating a response profile of a listener; determining preferred ultrasonic signal parameters based on the listener's response profile; configuring an ultrasonic audio system according to the determined ultrasonic signal parameters; and using the ultrasonic audio system to transforming an audio signal into an ultrasonic pressure wave representing the audio signal.

Abstract: A portable tone generator includes a connector configurable to couple to an input/output port of a computing device, a memory configured to store data corresponding to a plurality of frequencies, and an output interface configurable to couple to a speaker system. The portable tone generator further includes tone generating circuitry coupled to the input interface, the output interface, and the memory. The tone generating circuitry is configured to receive a control signal from the computing device identifying a selected frequency of the plurality of frequencies, retrieve the data corresponding to the selected frequency, produce an output signal including a tone based on the data in response to receiving the control signal, and provide the output signal to the output interface.

Abstract: Psychoacoustic boundary conditions are to be better taken into account in the amplification of input signals of a hearing apparatus. To this end, a channel-specific compression characteristic curve is predetermined in a number of spectrally-separated processing channels of the hearing apparatus, which defines a relationship between an input level and an output level in the respective processing channel of the hearing apparatus. A respective input signal portion is amplified in each processing channel as a function of a channel-specific operating compression characteristic curve. A channel-specific input level threshold is predefined here for each processing channel.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for optimizing which sound processing modes are enabled in the sound processing pathway of a hearing prosthesis. A sound processor classifies in the input signal and enables a first sound processing mode based on the classification of the input signal. The sound processor transforms the input signal into a transformed signal based on the enabled sound processing mode. The processor further classifies the transformed signal and identifies a second classification. Based on the second classification, the processor enables a second sound processing mode. Sometimes, the second classification is a classification that is only apparent to the sound processor after the first sound processing mode has been enabled. The second processing mode transforms the transformed signal into an output signal based on the second enabled sound processing mode.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the wireless communication of analog and digital information using a modulator adapted to communicate analog information in an analog mode and to communicate digital information in a digital mode using frequency modulated transmissions. A demodulator adapted to receive the modulated information is provided. The present subject matter can be used with hearing assistance devices to communicate voice and data information. Applications of the system include communications with assistive listening devices, hearing aids, and other hearing assistance devices.

Abstract: An audio signal transmission device includes a first light source and a second light source configured to emit a first wavelength of light and a second wavelength of light, respectively. The first detector and the second detector are configured to receive the first wavelength or light and the second wavelength of light respectively. A transducer electrically coupled to the detectors is configured to vibrate at least one of an eardrum or ossicle in response to the first wavelength of light and the second wavelength of light. The first detector and second detector can be coupled to the transducer with opposite polarity, such that the transducer is configured to move with a first movement in response to the first wavelength and move with a second movement in response to the second wavelength, in which the second movement opposes the first movement.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for continuous-time digital signal processing and signal representation are disclosed. This includes a continuous-time analog-to-digital converter that is configured to receive an analog signal and convert it to a continuous-time digital signal without using a clock or any type of sampling. This A/D conversion can include a per-level representation and a per-edge representation of the analog signal to produce a digital signal. The digital signal can then be processed in a continuous-time signal processor. The continuous time signal representation and processing can have benefits such a providing filters in high frequency applications where sampling is not practical.

Abstract: An audio signal processing system for use in assisting listening devices is disposed in a digital signal processor. The audio signal processing system comprises an input signal conversion unit, a signal compression unit, a hearing curve adjusting unit and an output signal conversion unit. An external audio signal can be converted from an analog format into a digital format by the input signal conversion unit, it is then compressed by the signal compression unit to be output to the hearing curve adjusting unit for adjusting parameters of the audio signal based on a hearing curve preset value, then it is output to the output signal conversion unit for the hearing signal to be amplified and converted from the digital format into the analog format for output, the audio signal is finally converted into music or voice by speakers of an assisting listening device to be output into a user's ears.

Abstract: In one aspect, reduced power consumption and/or circuit area of a discrete time analog signal processing module is achieved in an approach that makes use of entirely, or largely, passive charge sharing circuitry, which may include configurable (e.g., after fabrication, at runtime) multiplicative scaling stages that do not require active devices in the signal path. In some examples, multiplicative coefficients are represented digitally, and are transformed to configure the reconfigurable circuitry to achieve a linear relationship between a desired coefficient and a degree of charge transfer. In some examples, multiple successive charge sharing phases are used to achieve a desired multiplicative effect that provides a large dynamic range of coefficients without requiring a commensurate range of sizes of capacitive elements. The scaling circuits can be combined to form configurable time domain or frequency domain filters.

Abstract: The perception of musical sound with a music component and a speech component is intended to be improved. To this end, a method is proposed for controlling a binaural hearing system with a left hearing-device for a left ear and a right hearing-device for a right ear, which method contains the below described steps. First of all, the hearing system determines a hearing situation with the music component and the speech component. Thereupon, one of the two hearing devices is switched into a music mode and, at the same time, the other one of the two hearing devices is switched into a speech mode. The hearing-aid wearer himself/herself can then decide which component of the sound he/she would rather listen to.

Abstract: An integrated headpiece for a cochlear implant system includes a microphone for outputting an audio signal; signal processing electronics for processing the audio signal; and a transmitter for transmitting a processed audio signal received from the electronics to an implanted receiver. All of the microphone, signal processing electronics, and transmitter are disposed in a common housing of the integrated headpiece. The headpiece may also be one of a set of headpieces that can be alternatively used as needed to suit power consumption requirements or environmental conditions.